Baili Xukong immediately grabbed a piece and placed it on the black bracelet.
The aura of the black bracelet instantly intensified several fold.
Not only was Baili Xukong excited—even the other members of the Prison Sect showed expressions of wild ecstasy.
They all felt that with this power, opening the Sacred Artifact was now within arm's reach.
"Baili Xukong, if you truly trust this old man, you may go open the Sacred Artifact now."
"If you do not trust this old man, you may choose not to open it. But since we are allies, I need you to hold this Chu Feng."
"At least until my true body arrives here, you must not let Chu Feng escape."
Jie Tianran said.
Hearing this, Baili Xukong looked toward Chu Feng and saw that the blue aura surrounding Chu Feng's body had already receded to the Fifth-rank Heaven God level.
At this cultivation level, he had absolutely nothing to fear.
"Please rest assured, Realm Lord."
"Our Prison Sect chose to cooperate with you because we trust your ability."
"This Chu Feng will not escape, and the Prison Sect's Sacred Artifact will be opened as soon as possible."
"When that time comes, my Prison Sect will obtain the power of the Sacred Artifact."
"And you, Realm Lord, will obtain the power of the Divine Era."
"With us joining forces, no one in this cultivation world will be able to stand against us."
Baili Xukong said.
Hearing this, Jie Tianran smiled.
"In the current cultivation world, we already have no rivals."
"Think bigger—what we aim to conquer is the Ninth Heavenly River."
Upon hearing Jie Tianran's words, Baili Xukong's eyes brightened considerably.
He nodded firmly.
"What Realm Lord says is absolutely right."
Subsequently, Jie Tianran walked to within arm's reach of Chu Feng, with only the Heaven Shield Spirit standing between them.
"Chu Feng, you little beast, you truly have had some luck."
"I admit that I suffered some setbacks at your hands before."
"But this most critical moment—I am the one who won."
At this point, Jie Tianran's face broke into an extremely nauseating and provocative smile.
"Is that so? Are you sure?"
Chu Feng did not grow angry. Instead, he calmly asked in return.
"Ha ha ha..."
Jie Tianran's smile was mocking, and his gaze turned contemptuous.
"Still putting on a brave face."
"I wonder whether, when I wield the power of the Divine Era and stand before you, you'll still be able to keep up that brave face."
In the next instant, he formed a hand seal, and his body dissolved into a vast torrent of barrier power, merging into the great formation that was sealing Chu Feng.
This caused the speed at which Chu Feng's Hell Infant was being devoured to increase ever further.
Seeing Jie Tianran's clone disperse, Baili Xukong turned toward the warship where the Saint-level Elders were stationed.
"Elders, I will have to trouble you to handle things here."
Baili Xukong bowed respectfully to the Saint-level Elders.
Previously, he had not considered these people worth his attention.
But after Jie Tianran obtained the power of the Divine Era, he felt a greater measure of respect toward Jie Tianran's subordinates as well.
"My Lord Baili is too kind. We are merely following the Realm Lord's orders and will give it our all—we will not let our guard down."
One of the Saint-level Elders replied.
Thereafter, Baili Xukong began mobilizing troops, distributing the treasures left behind by Jie Tianran, and completing the black bracelets. Once preparations were complete, he prepared to pour everything into opening the Sacred Artifact.
"Baili Xukong, the aura around this Chu Feng hasn't fully dissipated yet."
"I fear he may be up to something. I'll stay here and keep watch for now. Once the aura on his body fades and his cultivation drops to a level where those Seven Realms Holy Palace elders can control him, I'll join forces with you to open the Sacred Artifact."
Dongfang Hansong found Baili Xukong and said.
"Mm, very well."
Baili Xukong nodded, then led his forces and flew off in the direction of the Sacred Artifact.
Xiahou Jue and Wuma Hanshuang, his trusted confidants, naturally traveled alongside him.
The black bracelets in their hands had long since been completed, radiating an even denser blood-red aura.
This filled both Xiahou Jue and Wuma Hanshuang with confidence about opening the Sacred Artifact.
But just at that moment, Baili Xukong produced an exquisitely crafted wooden box.
Opening the box, inside lay a single translucent pill that emanated an ancient aura.
Baili Xukong handed the pill to Xiahou Jue.
"Now that Jie Tianran has obtained the power of the Divine Era, we must open the Sacred Artifact as quickly as possible—otherwise, our alliance with the Seven Realms Holy Palace may face changes."
"The formation the Seven Realms Holy Palace has set up to seal Chu Feng incorporates our Prison Sect's secret techniques and supreme treasures. It is designed to strip away Chu Feng's Hell Infant power."
"Chu Feng's Hell Infant power is no ordinary thing. I fear Dongfang Hansong may harbor treacherous thoughts."
"This pill will place you in a hidden state, undetectable."
"But if you use a martial art or activate a divine weapon, the pill's effect will vanish."
"So after you take this pill, follow Dongfang Hansong in secret."